Bill Would Revamp NH Town Meetings

A state representative from Hampton is proposing a significant change to town meeting law in order to make the petitioned warrant article process "smoother" and "easier" while better protecting the right for residents to propose expenditures and projects.

State Rep. Fred Rice, R-Hampton, is sponsoring a bill that would prohibit any changes to petitioned warrant articles during municipalities' and schools' annual deliberative sessions.

Laws were changed two years ago to prevent changes to the wording of any petitioned warrant articles that passed legal muster, although registered voters are still able to alter the bottom line of petitioned warrant articles at deliberative session. Rice said that means residents looking to vet an idea through the full populace essentially have to "throw it on the table" and hope the purpose of the article isn't lost as 20 to 100 people "mash it up" in an attempt to make it not passable.

"It seemed to me it wasn't really fair for that group of people to spin tricks... and make that warrant article (different than its intent)," said Rice. "If you don't like it, don't play a game to zero out the money. If you don't like it, don't vote yes."

Rice said he's been disgusted with the deliberative session "gymnastics" seen in recent years, which led him to propose the change as a part of House Bill 423. HB 423, the full text for which is available here, is co-sponsored by state Rep. Tracy Emerick, R-Hampton, and Sen. Nancy Stiles, R-Hampton, among others.

The bill also has some support from local selectmen, including Ben Moore, of Hampton, who said Monday that he "totally agree[s]" that the intention of petitioned warrant articles should be protected.

"They should have the voice," said Moore. "I like the concept."

What do you think about this proposed change? Tell us in the comments!